Because they tend to cause gastrointestinal symptoms, these drugs aren’t the first-line treatment for high cholesterol.
Prevalite (cholestyramine) is available only as resin powder.
All are also available as generic drugs.
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In response to lowered bile acids in the body, your liver will convert cholesterol into more bile acids.
Additionally, LDL receptors will also be increased in the liver.
These actions help lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
As a result, bile acid sequestrants mainly lowerLDLcholesterol between 15% to 30% and only slightly raiseHDLcholesterol.
Some people may find it difficult to consistently take their bile acid sequestrant.
Additionally, the Welchol tablet is large and may be difficult to swallow for some people.
Who Should Not Take a Bile Acid Sequestrant
Some people shouldn’t take a bile acid sequestrant.
Bile acids are formed in the liver from cholesterol.
Bile acid sequestrants are primarily prescribed to lower LDL cholesterol levels.
Eat food rich in soluble fiber, which helps to absorb bile acids.
Eating small but more frequent meals can also help to reduce bile acids naturally.
2019;139(25):e1082-e1143.
doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000625
National Library of Medicine.Bile acid sequestrants for cholesterol.
